Machine for weaving wire.



Patenta'd- Mar. 26,191";

E. c. ATHE S. MACHINE FonwEAvms w'ma.

(Application filed. Sept. is, 1900.

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Patented Mar. 26, l9'0t.

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E. C. MATHEWS; MACHINE FOR WEAVING WIRE. (Apphcatmn filed Sept 18, 1900) (No Moqiai.)

. Patented Mar. 26, lam; L E. c. MATHEWS. I MACHINE FDR WEAVING WIRE.

(Application filed Sept. 18, 1900.)

5 Sheets-:Shaet 8.

No Model.

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N0. 670,7!6. Patented Mar. 26, I90l.

E. C. MATHEWS. MACHINE FOR WEAVING WIRE.

(Application filed Sept. 18, 1900.)

5 Sheets-$heet 4.

THI: uonms #:rzns co. FHOTO'UHjO WASHINGTON, b. c.

(No Model.)

Pathntod Mar 26; l90l.

E. c. MATHEWS. MACHINE FOB WEAVING WIRE.-

(Application filed Sept. 18, 900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(I10 Model.)

I @nventoz Vii n lea/m wbbueoaeo STATES UrTn PATENT Orricn MACHINE FOR WEAVING WIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 670,716, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed September 18, 1900. Serial No. 30,431. lie model-J .To (tZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELISHA O. MATHEWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Morgan and State of Illinois, (whose post-office address is Jackson ville, Illinois,) have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Weaving Wire, of which the followingis aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for weaving wire.

One object of the invention is to provide a means for automatically feeding the wiretwisting mechanism step by step or between a series of longitudinal wires.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for automatically reversing the twisting mechanism to weave the wireas the twister travels in a reverse direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an interrupted feed-screw having a part of its thread annular, whereby said screw will continue to revolve, while the twisting mechanism is in twisting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically gripping the wire and holding it tight while the twisting mechanism is in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically severing the woven wire into strips.

Many other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to and be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken from the opposite side, parts being broken away. Fig. 4 is an end elevation. Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of myimproved screw for feeding the twisting mechanism. Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the feed-screw. Fig. 7is a detail view of a section of wire woven with my improved machine, showing how it is divided and trimmed after it leaves the twister.

The numeral 1 represents a bed-frame comprising parallel side bars 2 and end bars 3, said frame being supported by legs 4. Mountedon standards 5, secured to the bed-frame 1, is a supplemental supporting-frame 6, carrying bearings 7,for a transverse shaft 8, on which is mounted the feeding-screw 9. On

one end of the shaft 8 is a cam 10, which controls the operation of the twisting mechanism l1.

Extending transversely across the supplemental fraino 6 are two pairs of parallel tracks 12 for supporting the frame, in which are mounted the twisters l3 and the mechanism operating in connection therewith. A square shaft 14: is also mounted in bearings on the frame 6 and has slid-ably mounted thereon a bevel-gear 15, meshing with a gear connected to said twisters. The twisting mechanism is in all essential details substantially the'same as that disclosed and claimed in a Patent No. 578,252, gran ted to me March 2, 1897, and it is thought a further description of the details and operation is unnecessary.

On the end of the shaft 14 is a gear 16, meshing with a gear 17 of larger diameter, fixed on the shaft 8. A clutch-section 18 is formed on the face of the gear 16, cooperating at a predetermined time with a similar clutch-section 19 on a collar slidably mounted on the shaft 14'. A lever 20, pivoted at 21, straddles a groove 22 in the collar, and its opposite end fits in a groove of the cam 10. The function of this connection is to cause the clutch-sections 18 and 19 to engage as that portion of the cam 10 marked 1O engages the lever 20, imparting a rotary motion to the shaft 14, and hence to the twisting mechanism 11.

The threads of the feed-screw 9 are of peculiar formation and form a very important part of my improvement. Each thread is annular for a distance of one-half the circumference, as shown at 23, and the other half of said thread is of a spiral or screw-like formation, as at 24. The distance between the threads increases from both ends toward the center, the purpose of' which will hereinafter appear. On the outer end of the shaft 8 isa bevel-pinion 26, meshing with two similar bevel-pinions 27 and 28 on a vertical shaft 29, suitably supported in bearings 30.

Mounted in bearings on the side of the frame 1 is a horizontal power-shaft 31, on

which are two worms 32 and 33, a bevel-gear 3i, and 'a power-wheel 35.

The bevel-gear 3 1 meshes with a similar bevel-gear 36 on the lower end of the vertical shaft 29 and imparts a rotary motion to the feed-screw 9 from the power-shaft 31.

The worm 33 meshes with a worm-gear 37 on a receiving or winding roll shaft 38, sup ported in hearings in the frame 1, said shaft having mounted on each end cam-disks 39 and 40. The cam-disk 39 has a groove 41 on its inner face for operating an elbow-lever 42, pivoted at 43, the opposite end of said lever engaging a collar of a double clutch-section 44, slidably mounted and connected so as to revolve with the vertical shaft 29. (See Fig. 2.) This connection rocks the elbow-lever 42 on its pivot 43, raising or lowering the clutchsection 44 to engage with one or the other of the pinions 27 28, said piniqnssof course being fixed on the shaft 29, imparting a forward or backward motion to the feed-screw, which movement will be controlled entirely by the groove 41 of cam 39.

Splined and slidably mounted on the shaft 31 is a grooved collar 46, having on one end a clutch-section 47, ooacting with a similar clutch-section on the worm 32, the latter be ing loose on said shaft 31. The bifurcated end of a lever 48, pivoted to the frame 1 at 49, engages the groove in the collar 46. To the opposite end of the lever 48 is connected one end of a horizontal rod 50, pivotally connected at its opposite end to a sliding section 51, which carries a roller engaging a groove 52 in the cam-plate 39. The sliding section 51 issupported by a hearing or guide 53, secured to the frame. This connection is for the purpose of engaging the olutchsections on the collar 46 and worm 32, whereby the pulling-roller 54 is simultaneouslyrevolved with the receiving or winding rollers 54* to take up the Wire as it is woven. The roller 54 is provided with a series of transverse grooves 54 and a series of annular grooves 54 Slidably mounted in the grooves 54 are grip-bars 54, each of said bars having a series of lugs 54 to catch and hold the wire. The grip-bars have on their ends rollers 54 to engage With cams 54 to impart a slidable movement to said bars. Cams 54 are positioned to engage the rolls after they have moved out of contact with the cams 54 and return them to their normal position.

To a cross-bar 1 of the frame are attached brackets 1 for a shaft 1*, carrying a series of rotary cutters 1 The upper ends of said brackets have stub-shafts 1", carrying similar rotary cutters 1 coacting with the cutters 1 to sever and trim the woven-wire fabric. Motion is imparted to the shaft 1 from the shaft 38, a sprocket being mounted thereon. On the shaft 1 is a sprocket-wheel, the two wheels being connected by a sprocketchain 1*.

Cam-faces 55 and 56 on the cam-disks 39 and 40 engage rollers depending from two trans verse bars 57, mounted to slide back and forth across the upper part of the frame. The bars 57 have a series of upwardly-projecting lugs 58, between which the longitudinal wires are guided. The cams 55 and 56, sliding the bars 57 laterally, cause the wires therebetween to be rigidly held while the operation of twist-' ing is going on.

Gears 59 on the shaft 38 engagev pinions 60 on a parallel shaft 61 for operating the device for cutting what becomes the vertical wire in the finished product when the twisting mechanism reaches either side of the machine. This device consists of a pair of cams mounted on the shaft 61, positioned to engage rollers 62 on the ends of a pair of levers 63. On the opposite end of said levers are teeth 64, engaging a segment 65, mounted on a shaft 66, carrying the mechanism for closing the jaws of the cutter, said cutter being clearly shown in the aforesaidnnentioned patent.

The longitudinal wires 67 are unwound from spools supported on a suitable structure 68 and pass over guides 69, under the feed-screw, and over and around the pulling-roll, and the ends are secured to the receiving or winding roller. The vertical wires are wound onlthe spools of the twisting mechanism, which is shown in the drawings at the right-hand side of the machine. The wire being now ready to be woven,the operator starts the mechanism,

whereupon the wire is automatically woven,

out, and wound upon the receiving-roller.

As shown in plan view, the spiral portion 24 of the thread of the feed-roll has just commenced to engage a roller 70, extending upwardly from the twister 11. Hence the twisters will be fed the distance between a pairof longitudinal wires 67,'or equal to the distance between two threads of the feed-roll. Immediately the annular portion 23 of the thread is reached the cam 10 causes the clutch-sections 18 and 19 to engage and the twisters are placed in operation. However, by the time the beginning of the spiral portion 24 is again reached the twisting has been accomplished, the clutch-sections 18 and 19 are thrown out of engagement, and the twisting mechanism is carried to the next wire. After the twister has been carried entirely across the machine the cams on the shaft 61 engage the rollers 62, whereupon the wire-cutting mechanism is operated and the vertical wires severed. After the wire is severed the cam-groove 52 is so timed as to throw into engagement the clutch-sections to revolve the pulling-roller and the receiving-roller, which takes up the wire just woven and presents a new field of longitudinal Wires to be operated upon by the twisters, after which the clutch is thrown out, and the pulling-roller and the receiving-roller remain inactive until again thrown into operation by the cam. At this time the cams 55 and 56 operate the grip-bars 57 and hold the wire tight, and sim ultaneously with this movement the cams 54 operate the grip-bars 54 and grip the wire on this side of the screw. Hence it will be seen that While the twisting is going on the strands of wire are held taut. While this operation is going on the camgroove 41 operates the lever 42, throwing the clutch-section 44 into engagement with the clutch-section 28, which reverses the movement of the feed-screw. Hence the operation just described would be repeated, only in an opposite direction. Motion being imparted to the pulling-roll,the rotary cutters and trimmers are revolved, which severs the woven wire into two sections, or, better, two fencesections. The purpose of making the threads of the feed-screw of varying widths is to produce a woven-wire fence having the lower wires of closer mesh than those above.

This invention presents many advantages over the present state of the art. More especially does it do away with a complex mechanism and unnecessary handling of the material while in the course of manufacture. It only devolves upon the attendant to supply the wire and the mechanism regulates and produces the completed product.

My invention is extremely simple in construction, durable in character, and inexpensive to put up and operate.

I claim- 1. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a continually-revolving means for feedin; the twisting mechanism step by step, substantially as described.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a feed-screw having an interrupted thread for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, substantially as described.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a continnously-revolving means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, and means for throwing into operation said twisting mechanism at each step, substantially as described.

4. A machine of the class described, comprisingaframe, a twisting mechanism, a feedscrew having an interrupted thread for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, and means for throwing into operation the twisting mechanism at each step, substantially as described.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and means for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, said means being a roll having a continuous groove which is of annular formation for a portion of its diameter and its remaining portion being of spiral formation, substantially as described.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and means for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, said means being a continuous groove having a series of annular portions and a series of spiral portions connecting said annular portions, substantially as described.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a continually-revolving feed device having an interrupted thread for feeding said twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

8. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a con tinnally-revolving feeding device for moving the twister step by step, and means for automatically throwing into operation the twistmg mechanism at each step, substantially as described.

9. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a continually-revolving feeding device for moving the twister step by step, means for automatically throwing into ope ation the twisting mechanism at each step, and means for automatically reversing the feeding device, substantially as described.

10. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a con tinually-revolving feeding device for moving the twister step by step, means for automatically throwing the twisting mechanism into operation, means for automatically severing the wire after the twister has traveled'across the machine, and means for reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

11. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a feeding device forautomatically moving the twisting mechanism step by step, a shaft having mounted thereon gears and a clutch, a cam on the feeding device, and a lever connection between said cam and the clutch on the aforesaid shaft, whereby the twisting mechanism is periodically and automatically thrown into and out of operation, substantially as de scribed.

12. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a feed ing device for automatically moving the twisting mechanism step by step, means for automatically throwing into and out of operation the twisting mechanism at each step, and means for reversing the travel of' the twisting mechanism, said means consisting of a cam, a lever engaging said cam, the opposite end of said lever controlling a clutch-section working between two fixed gears having clutch-faces, and a gear on the feeding device meshing with the two aforesaid gears, substantially as described.

13. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving feeding device for automatically moving the twistingmechanism stepbystep across the machine, and means for automatically cutting the wire after the twisting mechanism is carried across said machine, said means comprising a shaft having mounted thereon cams and horizontal bars having racks which engage means connected to a cutting mechanism, said bars being engaged by said cams, substantially as described.

14:. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twistingmechanism, a contin uonsly-revolving feed-roll having a groove around its circumference, said groove being annular for half of the circumference of said roll and the other half of said groove being of spiral formation, all for the purpose of moving said twisting mechanism, step by step, substantially as described.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a twisting mechanism, means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, means for advancing the woven wire from the twisters, and revolving .cutters for severing and trimming the woven wire, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, automatic means for rigidly holding the longitudinal wires while being twisted, revolving means'for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, and means for dividing and trimming the woven wire, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, revolving means for feeding the said twisting mechanism unevenly step by step, and means for advancing the woven wire after it is completed, substantially as described.

18. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, revolving means for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, the width of the steps increasing as the twister advances toward the center of the revolving means for feeding the twisters, and means for severing and trimming the woven wire after it is advanced from the twister, substantially as described.

19. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, a pulling-drum and two sets of means for holding the longitudinal wires tight while the twister is in operation, one of said sets of means comprisinga pair of oppositely-sliding gripper-bars having lugs, movable cams'operating said bars, and the other set comprising gripper bars sliding in the pulling-drum which are operated by stationary cams, substantially as described.

20. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a roll for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, said roll having a continuous groove which is of annular formation for a portion of the diameter and its other portion being of spiral formation, the windings of the groove being of varying width through the length of the roll, substantially as described.

21. A roll for the purpose specified, having a continuous groove, said groove being of annular formation for half the diameter and its other half being of spiral formation, and the spaces between the grooves increasing in width from each end of the roll toward the center, substantially as shown and described.

22. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a continually-revolving means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, said.

steps being of varying widths, substantially as and for the purpose described.

23. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a continually-revolving means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, said steps increasing in width as the twisters approach the center of the continually-revolving means for feeding the twisters, substantially as and for the purpose described.

24. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a continually-revolving feed-screw having an interrupted thread for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, substantially as described.

25. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a con tinually-revolving feed-screw having an interrupted thread for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, and means for throwing into operation the twisting mechanism at each step, substantially as described.

26. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving feeding device for moving the twisting mechanism step by step, said steps varying as the twister is moved, means for automatically throwing the twisting mechanism into operation, means for automatically severing the wire after the twisting mechanism has traveled across the machine, and means for reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

27. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a feeding device for moving the twisting mechanism step by step, said steps varying as the twister is moved, means for automatically throwing the twisting mechanism into operation, means for automatically severing the wire after the twisting mechanism has traveled across the machine, and means for reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a twisting mechanism, means for feeding said twisting mechanism step by step, the width of said steps varying as the twisters are moved, means for advancing the woven wire from the twisters, and cutters for severing and trimming the woven wire, substantially as described.

29. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, means for holding the longitudinal wires while being twisted, revolving means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, and means for severing and trimming the woven wire, substantially as described.

30. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism, revolvin g means for feeding said twisting mechanism unevenly step by step, means for advancing the woven wire after it is completed, means for cutting and trimming the woven wire, and means for automatically winding the Woven wire, subsiantiall as described.

31. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, and a revolving means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, said steps increasing in width as the twisters approach the center of the revolving means for feeding the twisters, substantially as described.

32. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a twisting mechanism, means for feeding the twisting mechanism step by step, means for advancing the woven wire from the twisters, and cutters for severing and trimming the woven wire, substantially as described.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a twisting mechanism,a continually revolving feeding mechanism for moving the twisting mechanism step by step, and cutters for severing the woven wire, substantially as described.

34. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving feeding device for moving the twisting mechanism step by step, means for automatically throwing the twisting mechanism into operation, means for automatically severing the wire after the twisting mechanism has traveled across the machine, and means for reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

35. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for moving said twisting mechanism step by step, means for holding the wire taut during the operation of twisting, said means comprising slidable bars provided with lugs between which said wire is clamped and cams for alternately opening and closing said bars, and means for advancing the woven wire after the lugs of the slidable bars have released the wire, substantially as described.

36. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for moving said twisting mechanism step by step, grippers for holding the wire taut during the operation of twisting, means for cutting the wire being twisted after the twisters have traveled across the machine, said means consisting of a rocker-arm suitably connected to the cutters, a reciprocating arm operating said rocker-arm, and means for reciprocating said arm, means for releasing the grippers, and means for advancing the woven wire, substantially as described.

37. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, means for pulling the woven fabric from the path of the twisters, and means for dividing and trimming the woven fabric as it is being pulled from the twisters, said means consisting of one or more pairs of beveled revolving disks operated in unison with the means for pulling the fabric, substantially as described.

38. A machine for the purpose specified, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, a roller for pulling the fabric from the twisters, means for holding the wire taut during the operation of twisting, said means consisting of asetof slidable bars located in advance of the twisting mechanism, a set of slidable bars carried by the pulling-roller, devices on both sets of said slidable bars for gripping the wire, and independent means for operating the two sets of slides, substantially as described.

39. A machine for the purpose specified, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a

roller for advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, said steps increasing in width as the twister nears the center of said roller, means for pulling the fabric from the twisters, and a device for dividing and trimming the fabric consisting of two pairs of beveled disks positioned to divide the center and trim the divided edges of the fabric, a pair of disks positioned to cut and trim the outer ends of the fabric, one set of disks being positively driven in unison with the roller for pulling the wire, substantially as described.

40. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for automatically advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, a roller for pulling the fabric out of the field of the twisting mechanism, a set of grippers located on the frame, and a series of grippers on the pulling-roller for holding the wire taut during the operation of twisting, a revolving cutting and trimming device operating in unison with the pulling-roller, and automatic means operating simultaneously with the pulling-roller for winding the fabric, substantially as described.

41. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, a gear on said revolving means, means for cutting the wire being twisted, a device for reversing said twisting mechanism after it has traveled across the machine,consisting of two slidablymounted gears connected together and running in the same direction, a cam, and a connection between said cam and the hub of the two slidably-mounted gears, whereby either one or the other of said gears engages with the gear on the end of the revolving means for advancin g the twisting mechanism step by step, substantially as described.

42. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving means for advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, a device for imparting motion to the twisting mechanism upon the completion of each step, consisting of a cam on the revolving means for advancing the twisting'mechanism, a shaft having a slidable clutch-section and suitable slid-able gearing meshing with the gearing connected directly to the twisters, a pivoted lever engaging the slidable collar and the cam, and a constantly-driven gear having a clutchface adjacent the slidable clutch, and means for moving the fabric from the field of the twister, substantially as described.

43. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a constantly-revolving means for advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, a device for imparting motion to the twisting mechanism 11 pon the completion of each step, consisting of a cam on the revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism, a shaft having a slidable clutch-section and suitable slidable gearing meshing with the gearing connected directly to the twisters, a pivoted lever engaging the slidable collar and the cam, and a constantly-driven gear having a clutch-face adjacent the slidable clutch, and means for moving the fabric from the field of the twister, substantially described.

44. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by-step, means for imparting motion to said twisting mechanism, the movement of said means being controlled by a deviceattached to the revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism, and means for automatically reversing the travel of the twister, substantially as described.

45. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a continually revolving screw having an interrupted thread for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, means for imparting motion to said mechanism, the movement of said means being controlled by a device attached to the screw having an interrupted thread, and means for automatically reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, substantially as described.

46. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism unevenly step by step, means for imparting motion to said twisting mechanism, the movement of said means being controlled by a device attached to the revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism, and means for automatically reversing the travel of the twister, substantially as described.

47. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, a revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, means for imparting motion to said twisting mechanism, the movement of said means being controlled by a device attached to the revolving means for advancing the twisting mechanism, a device for cutting the twisting wires consisting of cutters, a rocker-arm, a connection between said rocker-arm and the cutters, a reciprocating bar operating said rocker-arm, and a cam reciprocating said reciprocating arm, means for automatically reversing the travel of the twisting mechanism, and means for moving the fabric from the field of the twisters, substantially as described.

48. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a plurality of twisters, a revolving means for advancing said twisters step by step, independent means for automatically throwing into operation the twisters at the completion of each step, a plurality of cutters for severing the twisting wires, a single means for operating simultaneously the plurality of cutters, and means for reversing the travel of the twisters, substantially as described.

49. A machine of the class described, comprising a plurality of twisters, a continuallyrevolving roller having an interrupted thread for advancing said twisters step by step, independent means for automatically throwing into operation the twisters at the completion of each step, a plurality of cutters for severing the twisting wires, a single means for operating simultaneously the plurality of cutters, means for reversing the travel of the cutters, means for automatically moving the fabric out of the field of the twisters, and means for dividing the fabric, substantially as described.

5 0. A machine of the class described, comprising a plurality of twisters, a continuallyrevolving roller having an interrupted thread of varying Width for advancing said twisters unevenly step by step, means for simultaneously throwing into operation the twisters, at the completion of each step, said means being controlled by a device on the roller, a plurality of cutters for severing the twisting wires, means for operating said cutters consisting of a rocker-arm, a connection between said rocker-arm and the cutters, a reciproeating arm operating said rocker-arm, and a cam operating said reciprocating arm, means for reversing the travel of the twisters, grippers for holding the wires during the twisting operation, means for releasing said grippers, and means for automatically winding the fabric, substantially as described.

51. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, a twisting mechanism, means for advancing said twisting mechanism step by step, a roller for pulling the fabric out of the field of the twisting mechanism, grippers located in advance of the twisting mechanism, grippers carried by the roller which pulls the fabric, devices for opening and closing the grippers located in advance of the twisting mechanism before the fabric is moved out of the field of the twisters, devices adapted to close the grippers carried by the pullingroller before the fabric moves and securely grip said fabric until the next succeeding operation or operations of the twisters takes place, and means for winding the fabric, substantially as described.

52. In a machine for the purpose specified, the combination of a twisting mechanism,

means for advancing the twisting mechanism step by step, a pulling-drum, and two sets of means for holding the wires tight while the twister is in operation, one of said sets of means comprising a pair of oppositely-sliding gripper-bars provided with devices for holding the wire, means for operating said bars, and the other set of gripper-bars being carried by pulling-drum, and means for operating said latter grippers while the drum is be- IO ing revolved, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELISHA C. MATHEWVS.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES H. HALL, THOMAS G. BOWMAN. 

